Holetown Festival in Barbados
Celebrates beginning of British Colony
virginvoices.com staff
The week-long Holetown Festival in Barbados takes place every February, with the opening ceremony at the Holetown Monument.
The first settlement in Barbados, Holetown, was originally named Jamestown, after its benefactor, King James I of England. It acquired the name "Holetown" because of the very small channel near town, where ships unloaded cargo.
In February of 1627, eighty English settlers landed at what is now known, as Holetown. This marked the time when Barbados became a British Colony.
The Holetown Festival, which commemorates this event began in 1977.
Entertainment includes a variety of music, folk dancing, an arts and craft exhibition, a display called “Beating the Retreat” by the Barbados Defense Force and a parade of vintage motor vehicles.
There is also a street fair, where vendors offer Barbadian arts and crafts, and local foods and beverages.
Visit the Holetown Festival website.
Photo: Street vendor at previous Holetown Festival. Photo courtesy Holetown Festival.
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